Edson Mendes Barboza Jr. (born January 21, 1986)[4] is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2009, Barboza is a former Ring of Combat Lightweight Champion and is currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of March 17, 2014, he is #11 in official UFC lightweight rankings.[5]

Contents

Mixed martial arts career[edit]

Background[edit]

Barboza comes from Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro. His fighting style is Muay Thai. His professional Muay Thai record is 25-3 with 22 victories by knockout and 17 first round finishes.[1] Barboza moved to the United States in January 2009 and joined "The Armory" [1] in Jupiter, Florida.

Barboza's professional MMA career began in April 2009 in Tampa, Florida, when he defeated Aaron Steadman via TKO due to punches midway through the first round. Barboza then defeated Lee King twice in the Renaissance MMA promotion, first via second round knockout, then submission.

Ring of Combat[edit]

Barboza then joined New Jersey-based promotion Ring of Combat, making his promotional debut at Ring of Combat 28 against Nabih Barakat. Barboza knocked Barakat out in 69 seconds.

After another knockout victory outside of Ring of Combat, Barboza challenged for the Ring of Combat Lightweight title against Marcelo Guidici. Barboza utilized leg kicks to claim a TKO victory due to the damage inflicted on Guidici's legs.[6]

Barboza's first title defense was originally scheduled for Ring of Combat 31, against Mikhail Malyutin,[7] but, due to his signing with the UFC, he was replaced by Luiz Azeredo.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship[edit]

Barboza was expected to make his UFC debut against Darren Elkins on November 20, 2010 at UFC 123.[9] However, Elkins was forced from the card with an injury and replaced by newcomer Mike Lullo.[10] The bout was fairly even in the opening round, with Lullo attempting a gogoplata from bottom position. In the second, Barboza landed multiple leg kicks, two of which dropped Lullo. Shortly into the third round, Barboza defeated Lullo by TKO due to leg kicks.[11]

Barboza faced Anthony Njokuani on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128[12] and won by unanimous decision. The bout earned both fighters "Fight of the Night" bonus awards.

Barboza defeated Terry Etim via third round knockout with a wheel kick on January 14, 2012, at UFC 142. Commentator Joe Rogan said it may be the first spinning wheel kick knockout in the UFC. The kick won Barboza the "Knockout of the Night" award. The back and forth action earned both fighters "Fight of the Night" awards.

Barboza was expected to face Evan Dunham on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146,[14] but Dunham dropped out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by returning veteran Jamie Varner.[15] Barboza suffered his first professional MMA loss to Varner via first round TKO.

Barboza was expected to face Justin Salas on January 19, 2013 at UFC on FX 7.[16] However, Salas was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Lucas Martins. Barboza defeated Martins via submission due to punches at 2:38 of the opening round.[17]

Barboza was scheduled to face John Makdessi on July 6, 2013 at UFC 162 but an injury forced Makdessi off the card. He instead faced Rafaello Oliveira[18] Barboza was victorious with a second round TKO due to leg kicks.

Barboza faced Danny Castillo on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9.[19] After a dominant first round put in by Castillo, where he nearly finished Barboza via strikes and then with a submission attempt, Barboza rallied back to win the second and third rounds, and was awarded a majority decision. The performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.[20]

Barboza faced Donald Cerrone on April 19, 2014 at UFC on Fox 11.[21] Despite rocking Cerrone several times in the first few minutes, Barboza was dropped by a jab and eventually lost to a rear-naked choke submission.